ITV and Chamberlin ready for action with Saturday and Sunday broadcasts planned

Ed Chamberlin and the ITV racing team are planning to broadcast "as much as possible" of the BHA's proposed Pattern schedule, which is expected to run on Saturday and Sundays.

The schedule, which was released by the BHA on Friday, details plans for when some of the top races in Britain will be run. The first Group races could come on the weekend of May 22-23, featuring the key Guineas trials as well as the Brigadier Gerard and Sagaro Stakes.

ITV's coverage cannot yet be confirmed by the schedulers, with no dates formally confirmed, but it is already making preparations including how to operate broadcasting remotely. A test run, featuring Chamberlin and co-presenter Francesca Cumani in their homes, was successful on Friday.

ITV Racing's broadcasts have the potential to capture larger audiences with much of the sporting calendar cancelled until June. Premier League football is not expected to return until June 12 and top-class racing could see ITV's coverage reach a new audience.

Action from Ed Chamberlin's home studio

"The Pattern announcement was pretty mouthwatering," said Chamberlin. "Potentially in a few weekends we'll have some absolute humdingers, which I think is what everyone wants, needs and deserves really. It could be absolutely brilliant.

"We're all excited but I know we aren't there yet and there's a lot of other things going on in the world. The numbers aren't great but they're improving and the great thing is that we're in a position where we're ready to go when we get the green light from the government."

And of racing's unique opportunity to fill the sporting void in Britain, he added: "What a positive opportunity we've got to give the sport some good PR after everything that's happened. We'll use the opportunity to get more people involved with the sport, I promise you."

ITV confirmed it will not be broadcasting from the racecourse, instead using a live stream for the races with presenters based at home. This is to keep numbers on the racecourse at a minimum and the coverage will be scaled up while adhering to government guidelines.

Ed Chamberlin: 'It's going to be strange presenting a television show from my little office'Credit: Edward Whitaker

"We had a test with me at home, Francesca in Newmarket and the editor and director were in our own homes," said Chamberlin. "It's amazing what you can do these days, but it's going to be a bit strange presenting a television show from my little office."

Richard Willoughby, ITV's racing editor, added: "When it is safe for the sport to resume then we'll be ready to cover it. We're looking at how we can broadcast it in a conventional way, adhering to how the government, the BHA and ITV are guiding us. In the initial stages we'll be looking at broadcasting remotely.

"We want to show as much as possible. The advantage is that racing has is that it's going to be one of the first sports back. I think there's a real desire for live sport, regardless of what it is. We can't make a concrete decision yet but ITV, the BHA and the courses are trying to get as much on as possible. Once we know a bit more then we'll be in a better position."

Chamberlin also confirmed the coverage will celebrate some of racing's fundraising activities since the lockdown.

'There's a bit of buzz'

The announcement of the Pattern schedule had Newmarket residents in a good mood the next morning according to trainer James Tate, even with the absence of the Guineas on the first weekend of May.

Tate, like many, was happy to see more clarification about the race programme and has already begun to pinpoint targets for his talented string.

He said: "Around Newmarket this morning the battalions were back out and going to work, there's loads galloping and everyone starting to get ready. There's a bit of buzz and we've not had that for a while.

"I'm pleased they've given us some idea of what they're thinking. I worked a load of horses on the grass this [Saturday] morning with those races in mind, it'd brilliant if they fall on those days. But there will be some who will miss certain races and some think the trials are crammed in."

Trainer James Tate: 'I'm pleased they've given us some idea of what they're thinking'Credit: Edward Whitaker

The trainer, who had a career-best 72 winners last year, raised concerns about the timing of Royal Ascot, which is still planned to be staged in its existing slot in mid-June.

Tate believes there will be challenges to provide enough suitable trial races beforehand for two-year-olds.

Tate added: "For me, I'm not sure why the Guineas and Derby has moved but not Royal Ascot. I'm not sure how realistic that is, especially in regard to two-year-old races but then also three-year-old handicaps. It's a standout query on the programme."

David Simcock, who trained 52 winners in 2019, added: "It's a massive step in the right direction and is going to give everyone a lot of positivity.

"We'll have plenty of opportunities, which is great, and there's the same time between the Greenham and Guineas as before. So we've got the option of trialling or not."

Lambourn-based Charlie Hills, trainer of top older sprinters Battaash, Khaadem and Equilateral, has noted much fewer options in that category.

The Palace House Stakes, now run over five and a half furlongs, is the only option following the cancellation of the Group 2 Duke of York and Temple Stakes. The Achilles, Leisure, Abernant and Cammidge Trophy were other sprint contests which will not be rearranged.

Battaash: dual winner of the Temple Stakes, a race not in the revised Pattern programmeCredit: Edward Whitaker

"At last we've had some decent news," he said. "It was good to get up and do something with the horses with that in mind.

"It is a bit disappointing to lose some of those sprint races but we've still got the Palace House there. Battaash is a little bit backwards in his coat this year so I think we're leaning towards going straight to Ascot. He'll have a similar programme and he's moving well at home."

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